Tennis - Davis Cup

The "World Cup of Men's Tennis" began as a challenge match ("The International Lawn Tennis Challenge") between teams representing the United States and the British Isles in 1900. One of the Americans, Dwight F Davis, organised the creation of a trophy for the match and the bauble quickly became known as the Davis Cup. In 1905 the event was expanded to include teams from Australasia (Australia and New Zealand oombined), Austria, Belgium and France, before becoming what is now the largest annual international team competition in any sport with over 130 nations taking part. However, in any one season only 16 countries (the "World Group") are capable of winning the Cup, due to the hierarchical system employed by the International Tennis Federation. Entrants are promoted and relegated between the various sections at the end of each year following play-off matches. The format currently used is two singles matches on the first day, a doubles rubber on day two and finally the reverse singles on the final day. Thus, three match wins produces victory in any tie.

* South Africa were awarded the cup in 1974 after India refused to play them in the final due to the South African government's apartheid policy.